784 episodes
- Great deals are hard to find as a rookie, so when one lands in your lap, it can feel like you just struck gold. But how do you actually know if it's the real thing, or if there's a catch? Today, we're breaking down how to evaluate a low-money-down deal when one comes your way, and exactly what to look for before you say yes.
Welcome back to Rookie Reply! First, we’re helping a rookie weigh a 100% financing offer his agent is warning him away from—what actually makes a deal like this worth the risk attached to a “no money down” loan? We map out our best advice moving forward, and how to think about reserves for the unexpected.
We’re also helping a rookie reverse-engineer his very first house hack, working through when to bring an agent into the picture, and how to walk into an FHA inspection. Finally, a 20-year-old dad who's done all the studying but is still too scared to pull the trigger on his first deal. We offer the next best steps on how he can comfortably make that decision without risking hard financial hits!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
How to tell if a 100% financing offer (0% down) is worth the risk
Managing reserves for the deals that don't go as planned
Reverse-engineering your very first house hack (exact steps to take)
Knowing exactly when to bring an agent into the picture on your first deal
Walking into an FHA inspection fully prepared (and what they’ll look for!)
The mindset shift that makes your first deal feel possible
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-775.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Every rookie investor arrives at the same fork in the road early on: single-family home or multifamily. Which one's actually the better option? The property type you choose first can shape how fast you cash flow and how quickly you're able to scale your real estate portfolio. Today, we're breaking down both approaches so you can make that choice with confidence!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie Podcast! We're covering the real pros, cons, and differences between single-family and multifamily investing, including how your first rental property affects your options down the road. We're also running deal analysis on a similar single-family home and duplex to show you exactly where the major differences lie and dig into the numbers to see which path actually builds more wealth.
While the decision largely depends on your market, budget, and time, this episode shows you exactly how to weigh those factors against your own goals. By the end, you'll know which property type will get you where you want to go!
In This Episode We Cover
Whether you should invest in single-family or multifamily for your first rental
The catch with some high-cash-flow multifamily properties
Real numbers on two deals (including cash flow!)
The challenges of house hacking a single-family home
Why financing becomes more difficult past a fourplex
Which type of rental property we’d buy if we were starting over today
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-774.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Getting into an expensive market can feel completely out of reach for a rookie. But today’s guest looked at the numbers and realized that if he worked this in his favor, he could build reliable, long-term wealth. That math led him to 17 doors across three states, and today, he’s breaking down all his tips so you can start, and scale, too!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! In December 2009, Rick Albert was a broke college senior when he was introduced to a successful real estate investor. That meeting sent Rick down a path that started with an LA condo that many overlooked. He managed to see past the issues, and house hacked the unit with just 10% down.
That single deal became the foundation for everything: a HELOC that funded an ambitious ADU conversion, a renovation that took three times longer than planned, and eventually a portfolio spanning 17 units across 3 states, with his business partner.
Today Rick breaks down his advice on investing in high-cost markets, the numbers behind his deals, and what he'd do differently if he had to start over with no money. He also covers the unusual trick he used to cover his own closing costs, and what he did with the $228K he walked away with when he finally sold that first condo!
If you've ever assumed a market like LA is off-limits for a rookie, this episode says otherwise!
In This Episode We Cover
How to turn a "problem" property into your first house hack
Why cash flow isn't the only way to build wealth
How to use a HELOC (home equity line of credit) to fund your next deal
Why moving into your own rental can unlock a better refinance without an appraisal
How to keep a renovation alive when the money runs short
What to do with a six-figure gain once you sell
The lender trick that puts money back in your pocket at closing
And So Much More!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Investing in your first house hack but not sure whether the deal makes sense in the long run? House hacking is the way most rookies get started in real estate, and we’re breaking down how to analyze those deals to make sure you’re starting off strong!
Welcome back to Rookie Reply! We’re back, answering three of your burning questions straight from the BiggerPockets Forums. In this episode, a rookie wants to try his first house hack but needs to know exactly what to analyze in a duplex vs. a single-family home. We’re breaking down the three factors that decide if it makes sense in their market, including a "supermax" strategy most rookies haven't even considered! We’re also weighing in on whether an investor should buy local or out of state for their first long-term rental, and the one trend rookies need to check before choosing a market!
Finally, a rookie who is torn between a duplex or a vacation home gets an answer with a twist: the tax loophole that could make one option the smarter buy. Three very different scenarios, but all packed with strategies that will help you on your buying journey, and a clear path to building your long-term wealth!
Looking to invest? Need answers? Ask your question here!
In This Episode We Cover
The three numbers that make or break a house hack deal (always run these)
The "supermax" strategy for maxing out your house hack returns
Why negative cash flow isn't always a bad sign
Backyard vs. out-of-state investing: which wins for your first rental
The tax loophole most rookies have no idea about (very useful if you have a BIG tax bill)
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-772.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices - Finding real estate deals is a challenge for many rookies. Trying to tell the difference between a great deal and a property that is merely disguised as one is something usually only experienced investors see through. But in this episode, we’re sharing some of the best strategies we use to find real estate deals—including a few options you’ve probably never heard of!
Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Today, we’re breaking down eight different ways to find your first (or next) rental property! First, you’ll need to build your buy box so that you know exactly which types of properties to look for and where to find them. But then, we’ll show you how to work through the MLS the smart way, find real estate deals via word-of-mouth, and use seller concessions, wholesalers, and pocket listings to buy undervalued properties. We’ll even share an often-overlooked opportunity that could help you buy an entire real estate portfolio in one transaction!
For each strategy, we’ll get into the real advantages and drawbacks, so you know exactly which of these channels fits where you are right now. Finally, we’ll show you exactly what to track so your hard work actually translates into your next deal!
In This Episode We Cover
The best ways to find great real estate deals in 2027
Why you must build your buy box before searching for deals
How to use the MLS (multiple listing service) like an experienced investor
The secret to finding “hidden” rental portfolios (and how to negotiate them!)
The pros and cons of using word-of-mouth to land deals
What a pocket listing really is, and how to get on an agent's shortlist
How to effectively manage your direct-to-seller outreach campaigns
And So Much More!
Check out more resources from this show on BiggerPockets.com and https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/rookie-771.
Interested in learning more about today’s sponsors or becoming a BiggerPockets partner yourself? Email advertise@biggerpockets.com.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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About Real Estate Rookie
New to real estate investing and not sure where to start? Ashley Kehr and Tony J. Robinson break down the basics with real-world deal analysis, investor interviews and listener Q&A.
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